I assume your question is based on 2 Timothy 2:21 so let’s read 2 Timothy 2:19-21, “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.”

Let’s begin our meditation on this by going back to the earlier book written to Timothy by the Apostle Paul.  In 1 Timothy 3:15, Paul instructs Timothy, “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in THE HOUSE OF GOD, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”  Paul is instructing young Timothy concerning his conduct as one who is part of the ‘the church of the living God.’  The context of this verse shows us clearly that the HOUSE OF GOD is not a physical building, but is the entire church composed of every true believer, and ONLY true believers in Christ.  We read in Acts 2:47, “And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” (NKJV)  What is described in 1 Timothy 3:15 as THE HOUSE OF GOD is called A GREAT HOUSE in 2 Timothy 2:20.  What is the difference?

It is easily seen that in this GREAT HOUSE, not everyone is saved.  Here, there are “vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.”  The GREAT HOUSE would be considered the ‘professing church’, made up of all who claim to be a Christians by ‘naming the name of Christ.’  Some are true believers and some are not.  Verse 19 assures us that “THE FOUNDATION OF GOD standeth sure,” yet there are those who claim this foundation, but with a false testimony of faith in Christ.  The vessels of wood and earth are earthly and consist of worldly ideas and teachings.  These reflect the attitude and condition of unsaved people.  As 1 Corinthians 15:47 tells us, “The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.”  That which is ‘of the earth (world)’ is dishonoring to the Lord.  These will not endure the fire of God’s judgment.

Verse 19 states, “Let every one that nameth the name of Christ DEPART from iniquity.”  Everyone that names the name of the Lord ought to stop living lives of iniquity (unrighteousness), yet many in the ‘professing church’ do not and there are many in the professing church whose practice is quite inconsistent with their profession.  To honor the Lord, it is necessary to separate from those who are ‘mere professors’ of faith in Christ.  Verse 21 says, “If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.”

In order for us to be of service to the Lord, it is imperative that we separate ourselves from false Christians and their evil teachings.  We cannot allow their influence in our lives, no matter what the majority of the world might think of us.  Notice verse 21 says, “If a man…”  This speaks of our individual responsibility to the Lord to be apart from that which dishonors him.  Each one of us has to be before the Lord, as an individual vessel of His love and truth, and seek to live a life that honors Him and is fit for service to Him.  Amos 3:3 asks the question, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?”  No, they cannot!  While ‘unity’ is called for today among all peoples, true unity can only be accomplished by separation from that which is not of the Lord and dishonors Him.  We must be ‘clean vessels’ to be of use to the Lord.  Isaiah 52:11 instructs us, “Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD.”  (218.8)